Steam-trap.



F. A. LITTLEFIELD.

STEAM TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 4, 1909.

Patented July 27, 1915.

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FRANK A. LITTLEFIELD, OF NASI-IUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO NASHUA. MACHINE COMPANY, OF NASHUA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

STEAM-TRAP.

Specification of Iietters Patent.

Patented July 2?, 1915.

To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK A. LITTLE- FIELD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Nashua, in the county of Hillsboro, State of New Hampshire, have invented an Improvement in Steam-Traps, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like numerals on the drawings representing like parts.

rlhis invention pertains to steam traps; and may be embodied advantageously in that type of trap shown and described in my United States Letters Patent No. 893,529, dated July 14, 1908.

Among other objects, the invention is designed to simplify the construction, or'- ganization and mode of operation of steam traps and to obviate liability to derangement in use. Y Y

rlhe invention may be described` conven-v iently by reference to that type ofy steamV trap familiarly known as the tilting trap one form thereof being shown inl my patent aforesaid. For illustration a trap of the type suggested embodying the presentinvention, is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,-

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in sec? tion on a vertical median plane, of an organized tilting trap embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a section on an enlarged scale in a vertical plane on the line 22 of VFig. 1, yiewed from the left in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 is a horizontal section, on the same scale as Fig. 2, ona line 3 of Fig. 1and a line 3-3 of Fig. 2; land Fig. 4 is a vertical section, on a still further enlarged scale, on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, viewed from the right in Fig. 2. f

Referring to Fig. 1 al base or tripod 5 is provided to support various parts'of the trap. It has a tubular yoke 6 (see Fig. 2)

the arms ofwhich respectively support an inlet pipe 7 andan outlet pipe 8, which serve in thecharacter of stud shafts'upon which the tilting bowl 9 is mounted A chambered headv10v threads into the neck of the bowl 9 and,` as shown` in Fig. `2, has plugs l12, 14, threading into the head and supplying the bearings for the bowl, mounted upon the respective pipes 7 and 8. ln order that the joints between the head 10 and the pipes 7 and 8 may be eiiiciently closed against leakage and waste of steam pressure, the inner end of the pipe 7 is provided with a rigid collar 15 and the pipe 8 with a similar collar 16. Be tween the plug 12 and collar 15 is interposed a packing ring 17; and between the plug 14 and collar 16 is interposed a packing ring 18. These packing rings and the parts in embracing relation thereto, may be held in suitable contact by the organization shown in Fig. 2. As illustrated the pipe 8 threads into the head 2O of one yoke arm 6; and thereby said pipe 8 and its collar 16 are held stationary while the bearing plug 14 is capable of axial movement thereon. The other pipe 7 is so supported in the head 22 of the other yoke arm 6 as to permit said pipe axial movement in the head 22. The pipe 7 has vthereon a nut 24 between which and the head 22 is interposed a coil spring 26, tending to move the pipe 7 toward the left in Fig. 2. Thus the spring 26 tends to force the head 15 of the pipe 7 toward the left, so as to press the packing ring 17 between said collar 15 and the plug 12, thereby securing a tight joint. In like manner the spring V26 tends to force the entire head 10 toward the left, thereby pressing the packing ring 18between the plug 14 and the collar 16 on the pipe 8. Steam pressure within the head 10 contributes to the effect of the spring26 just described. For instance pressure in the head acting upon the collar 15 of the pipe 7 tends to press the same into still firmer contact with the packing ring 17 to close the joint; and thel reaction tends similarly to close the joint of the packingY ring 18.

Those parts of the illustrative form of trap just described, may be similar to those shown and described in my aforesaid patent. The head 10 has preferably a partition 30, separating the interior of the head into an inlet chamber 32 and an outlet'chamber 33. As shown inFig. '3 the inlet chamber leads from the inlet pipe 7, land communicates directly with the interior of the bowl 9, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. 8. Fixed in the partition 30 (Fig. 3) and communicating with the chamber 38 is a pipe 84, which projects into the bowl9 and supplies a conduit for the escape of water from the interior of the bowl. The chamber 33 preferably incloses the inner end of the pipe 8, into which is threaded a second pipe 36, the latter having therein a port 38 surrounded by a suitable seat for the valve 40. The valve 40 may be a disk valve with its upper side in the form of a nut toreceive a screw plug 41. The valve 40 and plug 41 receive between them a flanged head 39 of a stem 42; and preferably the valve 40 and plug 41 are Vsuiiiciently spaced apart to permit the flanged head 39 a slight amount of play therebetween. rlhe stem 42 threads into a plug 43 which in turn' threads into a suitable aperture in the head 10.Y A lock nut 44 is .mounted upon the stem 42. The outer end of the head 10fmay be closed by a plug f 45, which completes the closure of the cham- 'l ganiZation-hereinbefore described, water entering the inlet pipe 7, Hows intothe chamfat.

ber 32 and thence into the bowl 5 the latter, assuming it to bev empty, standing then in the position shown in Fig.l 1. When in this lpositionrthe'valvey 40 (Fig. 4) is seated iirmly upon its seat at the port 38 and closes the saineso that all egress from the chamber 33v is cut off.' The bowl 9 and connected parts'including the valve 40 are maintained in this position by the counterbalance weight of the lever l4G holding the bowl 9 in the elevated position of Fig. 1. There may be prcsentin the chamber 33 some steam imder pressure and this acting upon the outer face of the valvef4() andconnected parts, tends 'i to assist; in holding the same firmly seated. When a sufficient amount of .water is accumulated in the bowl 9 it overcomes the Scounterbalance of the'weighted lever 46 and .thereuponthe bowl 9 andhead 10 tilt con-V traclockwisevin Figs. 1 and 2-the pipes 8 and 36 remaining stationary.- This rocking j so VrAs already "pointed out vthe .plug 41 are spaced apart sulicientlv vto perof l,the bowl and head -10 lifts the valve 40 from its seat and opens the port k38, thereby i permitting thehead of steam back of the water in the bowl 9 `to force the water out through/the pipe-34, into the chamber 33,'

through. the` port 38, into the outlet .pipe 8,fthrough the yoke arm 6, and'outat the pipe 50 (Fig. 1).V When the water has been forced outof the bowl 9 the vweighted lever 46tilts the bowl 9 and head 10 clockwise, back to the positionl of Fig. 1; and i Athereby the valve is reseated to close the port 38, andthefdescribed operation of lilling and emptying the bowl may be automatically 1; repeated. i

valve -40 and i mit some play therebetween of the iianged head 39 of the stem 42. By this arrangement when the bowl 9 begins its contraclockwise movement preliminary to a discharge of water, the valve 40 is permitted to remain seated until the movement of the bowl 9 and head 10 has progressed sonicwhat and gotten well under way; and thereupon during a rapid part of the bowl movement, the valve 40 is quickly snatched from its seat and the port 38 suddenly opened wide `to permit a prompt discharge, as described. In like manner upon the clockwise return movement of the bowl and head 10 after a discharge operation, the valve 40 lregains its seat while the bowl is still moving, z'. e., before the bowl has reached its final position-of rest and while it is moving with substantial rapidity. In this manner the opening and closing of the port 38 by thevalve 40 may be eiiected very rapidly and effectively.

i The illustrative organization of the variousparts described is advantageous. For instance, the plugs 12 and 14 are readily removable for inspection and repair of the packingrings 17 and A18. Likewise the plug 43 is readily removable to permit inspection or removal of the valve 40. The valve may be adjusted in relation tothe plug V43, and head 10, which carry it, by turningthe stem 42, and the latter may be locked in adjusted position by means of the lock nut The amount of play to be permitted between the-flanged head 39 of the stem 42 and the valve 40 may be readily adjusted by turning the plug 41. To permit inspection, removal or repair of the pipe 3G and the valve seat thereon, the plug v45 may be readily removed and the pipe 36 unscrewed fromits seat in the pipe 8. As will appear. to those skilled in the art the entire mechanism may be readily disorganized and reassembled.

The prompt and eiiicient action of the described tilting trap, under the iniuence of the illustrative type of weighted lever 4G, and link connection 47, coperates ydesiiably with the described lconstruction of valve mechanism.

While the specific con-struction and organization above vdescribed commends itself for various reasons, Vit is to be lunderstoodthat the invention is, by ino means limited to the specific details particularly described .and shown forillustration. On the contrary theillu-strative embodiment may bewvariously changed fand modified within the properk scope ofthe subjoined rclaims. It isnot 'indispensable that all the features of the invention be used conjointly, since they maybe used vto advantage separately.

Claims:

1. AT tilting steam trap comprising in combination, a tilting bowl having a counterweight upon the same side fof the tilting axis as the bowl; a chambered head rigid with the bowl and tilting therewith; astationary outlet pipe in a chamber of said head; and a valve mounted on the wall of said head and movable therewith toward and from said stationary outlet pipe.

2. A tilting steam trap comprising in combination a tilting chambered head; means operable by accumulated water to tilt said head; and a valve carried by and inclosed in said head; mechanical means for operating said valve by the tilting of said head; and a removable plug in the outer wall of said head and adjacent said valve giving ready access thereto.

3. A tilting steam trap comprising in combination a tilting chambered head; means operable by accumulated water to tilt said head; and an adjustable valve inclosed in said head and operated by the tilting thereof; a closure carried by said head adjacent said valve and permitting when open the adjustment of said valve.

A. A tilting steam trap comprising in combination a tilting chambered head; means operable by accumulated water to tilt said head; a plug 43 removable from said head; and a valve carried by said Cplug and inclosed in said head and operate by the tilting thereof.

5. A tilting steam trap, comprising, in combination, a tilting bowl, a chambered head rigid with said bowl and tilting therewith; a stationary outlet pipe in a chamber of said head; a valve located within said head to open and close said outlet pipe; a removable cap for said chamber, and a support for said valve threaded into said cap.

6. A tilting steam trap comprising, in

combination; a tilting bowl, a chamberedV head rigid with said bowl and tilting therewith, a stationary outlet pipe in a chamber of said head; a valve located within said head to open and close said outlet pipe; and a stem carried by said head within said chamber upon which stem said valve is longitudinally slidable toward and away from its seat.

7. A tilting steam trap, comprising, in combination, a tilting bowl, a chambered head rigid with said bowl and tilting therewith; a stationary outlet pipe in a chamber of said head; valve located within said head to open and close said outlet pipe; a stem carried by said head within said chamber upon which stem said valve is longitudinally slidable toward and away from its seat, and means to limit such slidable movement of said valve.

S. A tilting steam trap comprising, in combination; a tilting bowl; a chambered head rigid with said bowl and tilting therewith; a stationary outlet pipe in a chamber of said head; a valve locatedwithin said head to open and close said outlet pipe; a stein carried by said head within said chamber, upon which stem said valve is longitudinally slidable toward and away from its seat; said stem being provided with a head; and means forming with said Valve a chamber in which the head of said stem is freely movable to a limited extent longitudinally thereof.

9. A tilting steam trap comprising, in combination, a tilting bowl; a chambered head rigid with said bowl and tilting there with; a stationary outlet pipe in a chamber of said head; a valve located within said head to open and close said outlet pipe; a stem carried by said head within said chamber, upon which stem said valve is longitudinally slidable toward and away from its seat, said stem being provided with a head; and a plug having screw-threaded engagement with said valve and forming therewith a chamber in which the head of said stern is freely movable to a limited eX- tent longitudinally thereof.

10. A tilting steam trap comprising, in combination; a tilting bowl; a chambered head rigid with said bowl and tilting therewith; a stationary outlet pipe in a chamber of said head; a valve located within said head to open and close said outlet pipe; a cap for said chamber having screw-threaded engagement with said head; and a support carried by said cap for moving said valve toward and away from its seat.

11. A tilting steam trap comprising, in combination, a tilting bowl; a chambered head rigid with said bowl and tilting therewith: a stationary outlet pipe in a cham-- ber of said head; a valve located within said head to open and close said outlet pipe; a cap for said chamber having screw-threaded engagement with said head; and a support having screw-threaded engagement with said cap for moving said valve toward and away from its seat.

1Q. A steam tra-p comprising, in combination, a pivoted head; a valve and seat with in said head, the former being exteriorly accessible for adjustment to dilferent operable positions relatively to said seat; inlet and outlet conduits coaxially'disposed with relation to said head and one having a port controlled by said valve; packings for the joints between said conduits and said head; and means permitting pressure within said head to exert a compressive action against said packings.

13. A steam trap comprising, in combination; a pivoted head; a valve within said head and having an adjustable spindle mounted in the outer wall thereof; an outlet conduit passing into and coaXially disposed with relation to said head; and having a port controlled by said valve; a liange on said conduit exposed to pressure within aXis as the bowl; a chamberred v-ieady and a springfor urging said flange combination avtilting bowl having acounterweight upon the `saine side of kthertilting head rigid with the bowl and tiltingtherewith; a stationary outlet pipe and a chamber in said head; Iand a vvalve mountedy on the outer wall,v of said head and eXteriorly accessible,v

Y said Valve being rmovable with the headitoward and from said stationary 'outlet pipe. V1.5. A' tilting steamtiap comprising; in vcombination a tilting bowl; a chambered Copies of this patent maybe .obtained for f ve cents each, by addressing the head rigid with said bowl and tilting therewith; a stationary pipe communicating with the interior of said chambeied head; and a single valve eccentric to the tilting axis of said bowl, mounted on said head and ,y

FRANK A. LITTLEFIELD.

Witnesses JOHN R. SPRING, C. K. AsHE.

Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, ILC. 

